Briatore: “Schumi was not ready”

Flavio Briatore is not the first to do so, but he is one more personality to recognize that the seven-time world champion is returning Formula 1 to impose itself. Even if the competition will be tough, the former team manager of Renault F1 is convinced that the German will be there next season.

« Knowing him, I think he took his time to think, and if he decided to come back, it's because he is convinced that he can still be fast », Commented the former boss of Schumi in the columns of Gazzetta dello Sport.

The one who accompanied the German during his first two world titles (1994-95) is even convinced that the current field will allow him to showcase himself. “ The last season clearly showed this, because the driver who became world champion is certainly not the best in the field. »

For Flavio Briatore, the retirement, at the end of 2006, of Michael Schumacher, was too early. “ When he retired three years ago, he wasn't ready to leave, he could have been competitive for two or three more years. »

However, contrary to the very optimistic opinions of certain F1 players, Flavio Briatore does not want to affirm that Schumi can claim the world crown. “ I do not know. I can just say that Ross (Brawn, director of Mercedes GP) knows him very well and that Mercedes has always wanted him. But I can only repeat that the car is fundamental. » First elements of response at the beginning of February, for the first private tests of the season.